Fiberon Sanctuary Decking: A Review Based on My Experience

As a homeowner who recently installed Fiberon Sanctuary decking, I wanted to provide a detailed review of my experiences with this product to help other homeowners considering it for their outdoor living space.

With over 15 years in the deck building industry, I’ve worked with many composite decking brands, so I was curious to see how Fiberon would compare. After installing Sanctuary decking on my backyard deck, I’ve been very impressed with its quality, appearance, and performance.

Keep reading for my full thoughts on what makes Sanctuary a great choice for beautiful, low-maintenance composite decking.

Why I Chose Fiberon Sanctuary Decking?

As a contractor, I always aim to use the highest quality building materials for my clients’ projects.

With decking, that means opting for composites over natural wood.

Wood requires frequent sealing, staining, and repairs to withstand the elements.

It also tends to warp and split over time. Composite deck boards offer a durable, splinter-free, low-maintenance alternative.

When researching composites, Fiberon’s Sanctuary line stood out to me for a few key reasons:

• Realistic Wood Look: With multi-tonal colors and realistic grain patterns, Sanctuary mimics the beauty of natural hardwoods like Ipe and Cumaru. This natural look is unmatched by other composites.
• Stain and Fade Resistance: The co-extruded PermaTech cap layer provides superior stain and fade resistance compared to other capped composites.
• Durability: Fiberon products back up their quality with industry-leading warranties. Sanctuary offers a 40-year stain and fade and a lifetime limited performance warranty.
• Made in the USA: I prefer products manufactured domestically, and Fiberon decking is made in the United States.

After closely reviewing the specs and warranty details, I felt confident that Sanctuary offered the optimal balance of aesthetics, durability, and quality to make it the right choice for my deck.

My Review of Fiberon Sanctuary Decking Performance

Now that my Sanctuary decking has been installed for a few months, I wanted to provide some feedback across a few key areas.

Installation

Installing composite decking well requires careful planning and precision. With the Sanctuary line, I found the installation process to go smoothly and efficiently. Here are a few reasons why:

• Hidden fasteners: I opted to use Fiberon’s Phantom hidden fasteners. These clip easily into the board grooves to create a smooth, finished look. Other hidden deck fastener systems can be trickier to install properly.
• Precise dimensions: The boards I received were precisely cut to the ordered dimensions. This made measurements and cutting very straightforward. Some brands have less consistency in board length and width.
• Rigidness: Sanctuary boards feel sturdy and rigid straight out of the box. Some composites can initially feel flimsy, making installation more difficult and leaving the deck prone to bouncing. The rigidity of Sanctuary results in a firm, solid feel underfoot.

Overall, the installation process met my high expectations for a quality composite decking product. The simplicity of the Phantom clip system and precision manufacturing of the Sanctuary boards allowed the project to go off without a hitch.

Appearance

For me, the #1 priority in choosing outdoor decking is appearance. Sanctuary delivers such a gorgeous, natural wood look that I frequently get compliments from neighbors and friends who assume it’s an exotic hardwood.

Here are the standout aesthetic qualities of Sanctuary:

• Multi-tonal coloring: Sanctuary uses Fiberon’s Multi-Chromatic technology to achieve subtle variations in tone across each board. This mimics the look of real wood grain. It appears far more realistic than single-tone plastics.
• Wood grain patterns: The grain pattern is variegated and unique on each board. Combined with the multi-tonal hues, it’s nearly impossible to distinguish from real hardwood at a glance.
• High-performance PermaTech cap: Fiberon coats Sanctuary boards with PermaTech, a durable cap layer that resists fading and pooling of dirt and debris. This helps the vibrant color and natural wood look last for decades.
• Hidden fasteners: Using hidden fasteners keeps the deck surface free of unsightly screws, nails, or visible gaps. This results in an ultra-clean, seamless appearance.

Overall, the Sanctuary decking transformed my backyard with its stunning exotic hardwood aesthetics. The realistic wood tones and graining paired with PermaTech’s durable stain resistance allow it to maintain that pristine beauty over time.

Durability

Durability and low maintenance are the key advantages of composite decking over wood. In evaluating Sanctuary’s durability, I assessed factors like:

• Resistance to scratching
• Resistance to mold and mildew
• Impact resistance
• Performance in extreme weather

Here’s how Sanctuary fared in each category after months of use:

• Scratch resistance: I have two large dogs who frequently run and play on the deck. Despite their claws, I’ve noticed no scratches or scuff marks on the decking surface so far. Sanctuary seems highly resistant to normal wear.
• Mold/mildew resistance: Sanctuary boards incorporate Fiberon’s proprietary PermaTech Surface Protection for mold and mildew resistance. Despite high humidity levels, I’ve observed zero mold growth on the decking.
• Impact resistance: Composite decking can dent if subject to dropped objects or heavy impacts. But Sanctuary’s durable polymer construction has held up great. Even dropped tools and furniture legs sliding across the deck haven’t made a mark.
• Weather performance: I’ve left a section of the Sanctuary decking uncovered through heavy rains, blazing sun, and 100+ degree days. The decking has maintained its form and appearance through it all.

With its durable capped polymer construction and multi-tonal PermaTech surface, Sanctuary offers the ruggedness needed for years of worry-free outdoor living. The decking has exceeded my expectations for wear, weather, and impact resistance since installation.

Maintenance

One of the key reasons homeowners choose composite decking is the low maintenance required compared to natural wood. Here’s an overview of the basic maintenance needs I’ve found when caring for Sanctuary decking:

• Cleaning: About once per season, I do a quick cleaning using a composite deck cleaner and a stiff broom. This keeps the surface free of pollen, dirt, and debris buildup.
• No sealing/staining: Unlike wood, Sanctuary never needs to be stained, sealed, or painted! The durable polymer construction and PermaTech cap allow it to retain its rich color and resist weathering.
• Spot cleaning: For food or drink spills like wine or grease, I spot clean the decking as needed with soap and water or a mild cleaner. The stain-resistant surface prevents permanent staining.
• Mold/mildew prevention: While rare, a mild bleach solution or composite deck cleaner can remove any occasional mold growth. Proper ventilation and drainage under the deck is key for prevention.
• No sanding/refinishing: Unlike wood decks, Sanctuary will never splinter or need refinishing. The boards maintain their integrity season after season.

With just occasional light cleaning, Sanctuary retains its like-new appearance with no staining, sealing, sanding, or refinishing required. It’s by far the lowest maintenance decking option.

Cost Value

Composite decking comes at a higher initial investment than wood, but pays off exponentially in longevity, maintenance savings, and increased home value. Here’s a look at how Sanctuary’s cost compares:

• Upfront cost: Sanctuary falls in the mid-upper tier for composite decking cost. But it offers a superior look, feel, and durability to justify the investment over low-end brands.
• Installation cost: The ease of installing Sanctuary with the Phantom hidden fastener system saves labor time and expenses. Other composites may require face-screwing each board.
• Long-term value: Sanctuary costs more than pressure treated wood upfront. But its durability and 40-year stain and fade warranty ensure no future replacement or refinishing costs.
• Maintenance savings: Sanctuary’s near zero maintenance requirements save hugely on the cost of periodic sealing, staining, repairing, and replacing that wood decking necessitates.
• Added home value: Sanctuary’s exotic hardwood look can increase a home’s curb appeal and resale value. Its durability also avoids detracting from value by appearing worn or dated.

Overall, Sanctuary offers outstanding return on investment. When factoring in lifetime maintenance savings and added home value, the upfront cost difference compared to wood is negligible. It’s worth the premium over low-end composites.

Why I Highly Recommend Fiberon Sanctuary Decking?

Based on my firsthand experience as a decking contractor and homeowner, I can wholeheartedly recommend Fiberon Sanctuary composite decking. Here are the key reasons why it stands out as a top choice:

• Unparalleled exotic hardwood aesthetics
• Multi-tonal colors and natural wood grain patterns
• Extremely durable PermaTech cap layer
• Stain, fade, mold, and scratch resistant
• Easy to install with Phantom hidden clips
• Rigid construction and solid underfoot feel
• 40-year stain and fade and lifetime limited warranties
• Low maintenance requirements
• Lasting quality to protect home’s value

For homeowners seeking high-end composite decking with sophisticated style, Sanctuary is sure to satisfy. Its combination of stunning visuals, top-tier durability, and hassle-free maintenance makes it well worth the investment.

I’m so pleased with the Sanctuary decking on my own home. It was the clear choice to achieve the elegant, luxury deck I envisioned, and I highly recommend it to enhance your outdoor living space as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

With its unrivaled beauty, durability, and low maintenance, Fiberon Sanctuary decking has proven to be a fantastic addition to my home. As a decking professional, I don’t say that lightly.

Of all the composite and wood options on the market today, Sanctuary stands out as a top-tier product that successfully blends natural exotic hardwood aesthetics with all the benefits of capped composite construction.

For any homeowner looking to install a new deck or replace their existing deck, I can’t recommend Fiberon Sanctuary enough. The rich multi-tonal colors, realistic wood grain, and sturdy performance speak for themselves.

Ultimately, investing in Sanctuary is sure to provide lasting returns through decades of practically carefree outdoor living enjoyment.